"Holy crap, is this really Ryūchi Cave? Can't even see an entrance. Did Boruto actually make it here?" Kiyoshi muttered to himself.
He hadn't watched much of the Boruto anime before transmigrating—just heard bits and pieces. Why? Because it was too hype. He was afraid he'd get so pumped up his brain might short-circuit.
Coming to a stop, he noticed a trail of footprints ahead. Upon closer inspection, they were his own—meaning he'd been walking in circles.
Tch.
Annoyed, he flicked a flame to life in his palm. Maybe he should just burn this damn misty forest down.
…Nah. Better not.
He dismissed the thought. Knowing his luck, the second he lit the place up, some giant snake would slither out and swallow him whole.
"That is…"
A faint glow flickered through the mist—lanterns. Obvious trap.
Snakes didn't use fire. Cold-blooded creatures had no need for it. Even if the White Snake Sage wanted to decorate for aesthetic, she wouldn't line up a whole row of them.
Still, he walked toward it. What else was he supposed to do? He was lost.
The mist gradually thinned, revealing a towering golden gate—ornate eaves, intricate carvings, a grand and imposing structure. A heavy vermillion plaque bore three gleaming characters: Ryūchi Cave.
Thick pillars coiled with golden serpent motifs, scales etched into their surfaces, radiated the cave's signature style.
The massive doors were shut tight. Kiyoshi had half a mind to pound on them and yell, "FBI, open up!"
But he held back.
Just as he debated how to announce himself, the gates slowly creaked open. A stunning green-haired woman, crowned with a golden orb, smiled warmly.
"Welcome, honored guest. We've been expecting you. Come in."
"Uh, hi. I'm Kiyoshi. Here to form a contract with Ryūchi Cave," he said politely.
This place was full of snakes. No humans. So this "lady"? Definitely a serpent in disguise. Not the Bai Suzhen type who'd seduce you—more like the eat you alive kind.
Speaking of which…
Kiyoshi glanced at the beauty, then at the little white snake coiled around his wrist.
"Quick! Transform!" he urged, pointing at the woman.
Xiao Bai: ???
The hell kind of request is that?!
This human was weird.
"I am Princess Kuchinashi. You seek a contract? Then come inside." Her voice was sweet, demure—the perfect Yamato Nadeshiko. She ushered him in.
"Whoa…"
The interior was luxurious. Serpentine reliefs adorned the walls, lanterns inscribed with "dragon" in bold strokes illuminated the grand hall like daylight.
A rich aroma hit his nose. A lavish feast covered a nearby table—roast chicken, duck, fish, pork, all steaming, perfectly seasoned.
"This spread is for our guest. Please, eat." Princess Kuchinashi placed a plate of roasted chicken before him, eyes expectant.
"Uh… thanks, but I ate before coming."
Absolutely not.
The Myōboku toad's bug cuisine was bad enough. No way snake food was safe. That, or it was genjutsu. Or poisoned.
Her smile didn't waver. "Oh? But Kiyoshi-kun, it'd be a shame to refuse. Just a bite?"
Suspicious as hell.
"Actually, I'm on a diet. Trying to get slim—like you, sis."
"Hehe, too thin isn't attractive." She covered her mouth with a sleeve. "I prefer plump ones. You're just right… tender, too."
Oh no. That look—she was hungry.
"Nah, girls in Konoha like 'em lean," he deflected.
"But I like 'em well-fed~" She slid a glistening roast suckling pig toward him.
"Sorry, my mom said not to take food from strangers. Besides…" He smirked. "None of this is real, right?"
"Tch!"
Her face paled. Crimson markings slithered down from her eyes, her pupils thinning into golden slits. Her dainty mouth split wide, revealing fangs, a blue forked tongue flicking out.
"Disobedient little human. Would've been easier if you just ate."
The grand hall dissolved into darkness. The feast vanished. The mist returned.
Kiyoshi sat on a cold, hard stone—no plush cushions, no warmth. Just bones scattered around him.
All genjutsu.
These were the remains of those who'd fallen for her trick, lured by the illusion of food—only to become food themselves.
"Tch. And here I thought I'd get a taste of your fresh chakra," she hissed. After three refusals, she knew he'd seen through her. No point hiding now.
"Monster. I knew you weren't human from the start."
Kiyoshi coughed. "Snakes don't cook human food—let alone this well. And sis, you just proved an old saying: 'The prettier the girl, the better the lies.'"
"Hmph! I crafted those dishes from the memories of the humans I've eaten. You called me 'sister' so sweetly, yet didn't take a single bite. Only power-hungry madmen come here. Don't expect smooth sailing ahead."
With that, she floated back, vanishing into the mist.
"Close call." He patted his chest. One bite, and he'd have been another pile of bones.
"Now… where to?"
"Hehe~ Lost? Then follow me."
A pair of hands settled on his shoulders. A girl in white, her hair in twin buns, floated behind him.
"I'm Princess Ichikishima. Kuchinashi's test was easy—just don't be greedy. Mine's even simpler. Want to try?"